One of the features which take the joy out of flying elastic-driven model aeroplanes is the time taken to wind them up. For 10 cents and very little work a fast winder can be made out of an ordinary geared egg beater. Remove the outer small pinion and the revolving beater attached to it. Then cut the other beater off at A, as shown in the sketch, and the spindle at B. A few turns of tinned wire soldered to the spindle will keep the pinion from sliding off. Another piece of the same wire may be soldered to the two arms, at C, to strengthen them. In use, the hub of the propeller is inserted between the two arms, as indicated and the rubber wound.—Morris G. Miller, New Rochelle, N. Y.
Stove Lighter with Feeding Wick Guards against Burns
A stove lighter for gasoline or similar stoves can be made quickly. Cut a piece of tin, 7 in. long and 1 in. wide. Place a lamp, wick on the tin so that a part of it projects from the end of the tin. Fold the tin so that the wick is held, but so that it can be drawn out when needed. Saturate the wick in kerosene, or other thicker oil. When wishing to light one or more burners of the stove, light the wick and apply it to the burners. The stove can be lighted with less danger of burning the hands than when a match is used directly.—Lee M. Delzell, Maroa, Ill.
Mechanical Toy Alligator of Wood
The Alligator is Drawn Along with a String, and the Jaws and Tail Flip Up and Down
A toy alligator that opens its mouth and wags its tail as it is pulled along can be made of wood by a boy, with a jackknife. The various parts, as shown, are cut from soft wood, ¹⁄₂ in. thick. The method of fastening the parts is shown in the side sectional view. When the wheels turn, the cams A, set on the crank portions of the wheel axles, raise and lower the jaw and tail. The upper jaw is 1 in. wide at the widest part, and 3 in. long. The lower jaw is smaller, and the same length. The body is 6 in. long, and tapering in width from 1¹⁄₂ to ³⁄₄ in. The tail is 4³⁄₄ in. long, and ³⁄₄ in. wide. Holes are drilled in each piece near the edge, at joining points, through which wires are drawn, and clamped, as at B. The legs are shown in detail. They are attached to the body by drilling a ¹⁄₁₆-in. hole in each, and a hole through the body, through which the fastenings are passed. The lower end of the legs are fastened to the base, which is 3 by 9 in. long. Square holes, 1 in. wide, near each end, are provided for the cams A. The axles and wheels are made as shown. The axles fit tightly in the wheels, so that the latter can move the axles around with each turn. The axles are made from ¹⁄₈-in. wire, bent as shown, and should be long enough, after passing through the bottom, to extend through the wheels on each side.—Charles C. Wagner, Los Angeles, Calif.